IF .............................

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:03 pm

There has been a great deal of chat on this site about life in the good old days at Horsham.

How many of you have seen that brilliant film, 'IF.....' , starring Malcolm MacDowell ?

I have always seen the similarities between CH and the public school system portrayed in the film, especially the almost opening scene of them all returning to school after the holidays !

I can honestly say that I watch this film every time it is shown on television !

(Comments on a housey girdle, to.....................)

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:10 pm

I saw If as part of a a Grecian's lecture... I think the guy who was the main character was an Old Blue wasn't he?

graham · Post by **graham** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:54 pm

If... is probably my favourite film of all time. It is a complete masterpiece! The follow up (O lucky man) is also worth watching, if you have 3hrs and a large amount of drugs/alcohol on hand. avoid the third (Britannia Hospital) though. They aren't reallyy sequels; more extra use of the Mick Travis character - McDowell was certainly good in those roles. Personally I like If... most out of all his work but he was perfect as Alex in A Clockwork Orange. I have a little bias though as lots of people think I look like him

I don't think any of them were old blues per se, but David Wood (he was one of the 'crusaders' but I forgot his character's name) did come in to give us talks. he writes childrens books now adays and I think he knew Tom Jeffers and that is why we got him. The only old blue I remember at Grecian's lectures was Mark Thomas.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:20 pm

I thought David Wood was an Old Blue...

graham · Post by **graham** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:50 am

maybe..... but i didn't think so?!

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 7:07 am

Great Plum wrote:I thought David Wood was an Old Blue...

Maybe JH can answer this ?

graham · Post by **graham** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 7:41 pm

I have always seen the similarities between CH and the public school system portrayed in the film

No young blond boys sharing your bed and shaving you in the morning though, JR?

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:11 pm

Definitely not !

I identify more with Malcolm's Macs part. Ever the budding anarchist !

I always thought the Headmaster, played by the late Arthur Lowe had great similarities to..........

Oooooops....

(Nearly slipped up again, JT !)

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:52 pm

Have to disagree with you there, JR: Arthur Lowe wasn't the headmaster (that was Peter Jeffrey), he was the housemaster.

Can't remember which two schools If... was filmed at, but in the mid-Seventies at CH we understood that Dr Roger Hackett (Horsham Staff 1974-2004) was teaching at one of them at the time and served as the contact-man between Lindsay Anderson & Co and the authorities.

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:01 pm

Sorry about that Rex. You're quite right !

I loved the character who was in charge of the CCF, AND also was the school chaplain. A lovely parody on the religious right to kill people !

I'm going to look the film upon the internet.

Be right back.......

graham · Post by **graham** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:59 pm

Part of the movie was filmed at Lindsey Anderson's old school which was in Cheltenham, I think.......

It does have the feel of CH about it though - especially those scenes that introduce the different sections, where they are looking over a hockey field towards a building that resembles big school

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:12 pm

ITS ALL HERE, FOLKS !!

Link into this page if you are an IF...... fan.

I had no idea the story was taken from a Kipling tale !

The fella' that mentioned Cheltenham College, definitely qualifies for a coconut ! Prizes to destributed at 'The Bax', Landlord permitting, on a well known date in July.

LINK:-

http://www.geocities.com/malcolmtribute/if.html

graham · Post by **graham** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:51 am

I'd love to be there to recieve my coconut in person, but I think I'll have some trouble getting there (it being 8,000 miles or so). Perhaps you can all share in it in my absence

I read something recently about if... being based on or maybe just similar to a french movie from the 40's, or something similar. I shall look into this further, but I fear it may be a three pipe-problem ....................

marty · Post by **marty** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:58 am

If... is my absolute favourite film of all time. Did you know that it was filmed in both black & white and colour because they didn't have enough money for colour film? The one scene that's always puzzled me is after the CCF field day when the chaplain appears out of the drawer in the headmaster's study, the boys shake hands and then the headmaster closes the drawer again - bizarre. I know lots of the scenes are surreal but that one is too weird!

Andy Friend · Post by **Andy Friend** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:55 pm

I also watch it every time it's on TV! Absolutley brilliant film, but a bit surreal!